National media sound Liverpool title concern as Darwin Nunez point made
'Inconceivable' - National media sound Liverpool title concern as Darwin Nunez point madeHow the national media reacted to Liverpool's 4-2 win over Bournemouth in the Premier League on Friday eveningFederico Chiesa of Liverpool celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 3-2 during the Premier League match against Bournemouth at Anfield on August 15 2025 (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)And they're off. Liverpool started their defence of the Premier League title by kicking of the new top-flight campaign with an entertaining 4-2 victory over Bournemouth on Friday evening.Substitute Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah both scored in the closing stages after Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo saw their strikes wiped out by a double from Antoine Semenyo.It made for a satisfying ending at Anfield. And while the ECHO was in attendance and provided our usual level of coverage, here's how the national media viewed another important result for Slot's side.Federico Chiesa poses new Liverpool transfer question as Arne Slot decisions telling READ MORE:Mohamed Salah left in tears after poignant Liverpool tributes to Diogo Jota READ MORE:Chris Bascombe of The Telegraph points out how Liverpool's inconsistent performance shows they are a team very much in transition after a busy summer in the transfer market."Imagine what Liverpool will be like when they are the finished product," he writes. "Liverpool’s challengers spent the first seven months of last season convincing themselves Slot’s restructured team were too flawed, too fragile in the event of suffering injuries, and too prone to scrapping their way to three points to sustain a title charge."By March, they all realised they had underestimated Slot as his side galloped away, the Dutch coach’s ability to navigate a route to glory ensuring the early-season confidence of others dissipated as the Anfield bubble refused to burst.Article continues below"One can imagine those same emotions in north London, Stamford Bridge and the blue side of Manchester seeing Slot’s side claim an opening-night win. It is inconceivable they will defend their crown playing as open as this, the game more reminiscent of the early years of Jurgen Klopp’s roller-coaster rides than the stylistic, possession game that Slot evolved in his debut campaign."Writing in The Times, Paul Joyce looked at an emotional occasion, with it being the first competitive game at Anfield since the death of Diogo Jota."Of course, Liverpool’s season has become about more than football," he says. "It is about togetherness, empathy and remembrance. Diogo Jota’s widow, Rute, his children and family were all at Anfield as an entire stadium came together to pay tribute to the former striker, who died in a car crash in July along with his brother, Andre Silva."Banners, including one held aloft by the travelling Bournemouth supporters, conveyed love and a period of silence was impeccably observed. The scene was incredibly moving. Both beautiful and cruel."Towards the 20th minute, a juncture picked because it will forever be Jota’s shirt number, the song in his honour rhythmically boomed out. It was another moment to, briefly, stop and think."Andy Hunter of The Guardian centred on the scenes after the game had finished."Mohamed Salah was inconsolable after the final whistle," he scribes. "Moments after sealing an enthralling victory over Bournemouth and recreating Jota’s Baby Shark celebration, the Liverpool forward broke down in tears in front of the Kop as they sang in honour of the tragic Portugal international."Jota’s wife, Rute Cardoso, children and family had found the strength to be present and were welcomed with a sign that read: ‘Rute, Dinis, Duarte, Matilda – Anfield will always be your home. You’ll Never Walk Alone.’ It was one moving moment among many as Anfield remembered their number 20 and his brother, André Silva, following their deaths in July."The headlines could have belonged to Federico Chiesa, who came off the bench to clinch the win and shatter Bournemouth with an 88th-minute volley."It was his first Premier League goal for the club but, given the emotion, the high drama and unfortunately allegations of racist abuse towards Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo."Chiesa’s vital contribution may be overlooked. Semenyo scored two excellent goals to haul Andoni Iraola’s team level, and deservedly so, only for Chiesa’s and Salah’s late double act to rescue Liverpool."Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more £43 £35 Sky Get Sky Sports here Product Description Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more. Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.Finally, Ian Ladyman of the Daily Mail looked at the performance of one of Liverpool's many new players."It was a great Liverpool striker Michael Owen who once said that the best forwards have an ability to almost slow their heart rate when a chance arrives," he says. "It’s perhaps fair to say that the departed Darwin Nunez didn’t have that natural gift. Maybe the player who has arrived in his stead really does."The French forward Hugo Ekitike was fabulous on his league debut here. If his goal in the Community Shield was impressive last week then this was an altogether more complete performance.Article continues below"The 23-year-old’s first half goal was beautifully taken. How many players would have snatched at the chance after Ekitike bustled through on goal? Given the circumstances, quite a few."There was more, though. Ekitike seems to have a temperament for this stage and the Liverpool fans have taken to him already. Nunez was a warrior and the Kop loved him for that. Ekitike – on this evidence – looks a far better footballer already."
Most Popular
